My Grandpa, Alittlelesstalk favored in Washington Cup races

My Grandpa and Alittlelesstalk figure to be short prices in the Washington Cup Sophomore and Washington Cup Sophomore Filly races on Sunday at Emerald Downs. The one-mile stakes are restricted to horses bred or sired by a stallion standing in Washington or British Columbia and are each worth $50,000.

They are the first of six Washington Cup races at the meet, with the 2-year-old Cup races sharing the spotlight next Sunday. The Washington Cup Filly or Mare and the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic headline the final day of the Emerald meet on Sunday, Sept. 22.

My Grandpa would have received a $25,000 bonus if he had followed his upset win in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby on Aug. 11 with a victory in the Grade 3, $250,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 7 at Hastings.

However, his connections – owner Ron Crockett and trainer Tom Wenzel – decided on the easier path of running in the Washington Cup Sophomore.

It was the right choice. The Washington-bred son of Grazzen would have been a longshot running against a strong field in the B.C. Derby. Instead, he stands out Sunday, and if he runs as well as he did winning the Muckleshoot Derby over the filly Alittlelesstalk, he will be tough to beat.

With Jorge Carreno aboard, My Grandpa broke a step slow in the 1 1/8-mile Muckleshoot Derby, but at the half-mile mark, he was on even terms with Alittlelesstalk. The pair dueled the rest of the way, with My Grandpa pulling away late to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

It was his first win since he edged Fuzzy Dolphin by a head in his debut last year. He improved when he wore blinkers for the first time in a first-level allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option on June 29. Following his runner-up finish there, he finished third in the $50,000 Seattle Slew prior to his Derby win.

He will break from post 3 with Carreno riding.

He will have to deal with other speed, most notably Makah Lane, who is breaking from the rail. If he gets caught up in a duel, Time ’n Time Again, third in the Derby for trainer Kay Cooper, is the one with the best chance of picking up the pieces.

Trainer Roddina Barrett made a smart move by passing on the Washington Oaks to have Alittlelesstalk run against the boys in the Muckleshoot Derby.

Killarney Lass received an 81 Beyer Speed Figure for her 9 1/2-length romp in the Oaks. My Grandpa received just a 71 for his Derby win.

A Washington-bred daughter of Demon Warlock, Alittlelesstalk is the only stakes winner in the Sophomore Filly. She also was game in defeat in the Muckleshoot Derby.

Barrett likes the way she is coming into the race.

“She’s sharp and ready to go,” said Barrett, who also is the exercise rider for Alittlelesstalk. “She’s been pulling my guts out in the mornings.”

Alittlelesstalk will break from post 2 with Scott Stevens aboard.